Ainge Retires - Stevens to Front Office - Celtics search for New Head Coach

[Curmudgeon]

If the Celtics really passed on Sam Presti then this organization has bigger problems than we all imagined.

They decided not to pursue a GM who is under contract with another franchise and who has given no indication over the years that he would be interested in a job with the Celtics.

I mean, they also passed on R.C. Buford, Sean Marks, Donnie Nelson, Rob Pelinka, Leon Rose......etc. etc. etc.

What would be a problem is if these moves cause Zarren to bolt, for example to the open position with the Timberwolves. That would be a major loss. I'm hoping that Zarren enjoys being the numbers guy behind the scenes and wants nothing to do with the PR crap that comes with being el jefe.

[soxfan2003]

I am a strong freedom of speech advocate which is one of the many reasons I am genuinely concerned about the increasing influence of the CCP in the US but since there is moderation, I respect the intent of the following rule. However, how it is interpreted can be problematic.

"Members should post in a way that is respectful of other users.

This applies to ALL users, regardless of post count, forum rank or perceived status at RealGM. Flaming, trolling or abusing users in any way will not be tolerated and will lead to a warning."

Do people reading this TOS feel as though it actually bans talk such as Stevens is as weak as a <insert female anatomy>

IMO that is casual sexist talk that isn't necessary at all -- call him as weak as a marshmallow -- to make a point that Stevens is weak at holding players accountable nor is men objectifying women on a basketball forum given this TOS is "respectful of other users".

[Bill Bradley]

Brad seems to be a terrible judge of talent. Couldn’t think of a worse series of events. Would have been better off just running it back.

Based on what?

How often he played Grant Williams and Jeff Teague

Spoiler:

im kidding, for the record

You may have been kidding, but yeah the fact that he played Edwards over guys like Nesmith, and Grant Williams over Timelord, does make me question his eye for talent. Is he going to construct a team of low ceiling tryhards that match his rotations? That’s a legitimate concern I think. And I just think the guy is soft and not a very strong leader. Celtics would have been better off sticking with Ainge IMO.

[Fierce1]

You may have been kidding, but yeah the fact that he played Edwards over guys like Nesmith, and Grant Williams over Timelord, does make me question his eye for talent. Is he going to construct a team of low ceiling tryhards that match his rotations? That’s a legitimate concern I think. And I just think the guy is soft and not a very strong leader. Celtics would have been better off sticking with Ainge IMO.

A lot more people will say that if Brad doesn't do a good job in the next 2 years.

Just like some Celtic fans wished Doc Rivers wasn't replaced by Brad Stevens.

[GoGreen]

Danny needed to go, 100%. But Brad as GM? No one really wanted or expected that. I know he really pushed for Jaylen in the draft (according to bill simmoms) so perhaps he's not a, bad judge of talent, just more interested in playing safe players?

Tbh I wish we could've done away with the stench of Brad AND Danny, but it is what it is. Hopefully he makes a good hire at coach, like Billups or Cassell

[zoyathedestroya]

Read on Twitter

[ajones9219]

While I think Ainge stepping down and Brad swapping to president is a huge mistake for the team....I can get behind any of Cassel, Lawson, or Billups

[FlatearthZorro]

While I think Ainge stepping down and Brad swapping to president is a huge mistake for the team....I can get behind any of Cassel, Lawson, or Billups

I don't care who it's going to be. But it better be a good candidate and they better do a good job, cause this will more than likely be a deciding factor of what happens with Tatum/Brown in the next several years. So they better choose carefully.

[flintsky21]

Not so sure about Billups. I know it might not have any relevance to his coaching capability, but his player comparisons on those draft shows are way, way off (comparing Hachimura to Kawhi for example) that it's somehow scary enough to make me have doubts.

[LarryBirdsFingr]

Waiting for that left field obscure coaching decision

[FlatearthZorro]

Waiting for that left field obscure coaching decision

Jay Larranaga or maybe a late 20s, very early 30s moneyballer?

[31to6]

Waiting for that left field obscure coaching decision

Jay Larranaga or maybe a late 20s, very early 30s moneyballer?

Beware the mid-majors college rando

at which point board (myself included) be like:

Watch on YouTube

[SmartWentCrazy]

Waiting for that left field obscure coaching decision

David Vanterpool

[FlatearthZorro]

Waiting for that left field obscure coaching decision

Jay Larranaga or maybe a late 20s, very early 30s moneyballer?

Beware the mid-majors college rando

at which point board (myself included) be like:

Watch on YouTube

This is a classic. Nooooo, not this guys, noooo!!!

[Curmudgeon]

Summer league is just around the corner, so I wouldn't be shocked if one of the current assistants gets the job on an interim basis. Stevens doesn't have the time for a massive worldwide search.

Having said that, I would guess that Stevens has a short list in his head. He's fairly dialed in to the coaching world.

[sully00]

A big question that I still have is does Brad replacing Danny make Fournier less or more likely to re-sign

I think the market will dictate that decision more than Brad's or even Fournier's preference. He has to be looking for every last dollar and Boston has to have a point that they are better off taking the talent loss and repurposing the dollars. Very similar to Smart a few years ago actually but without the baggage good and bad.

My understanding at this point is that he his not viewed as a player that a team is going to commit cap space to. There is also going to be a supply of expensive 3 and no D wings available on the trade market who are no longer four or five year mistakes. I don't see Brad or anyone giving him 20 mil a year at least not on June 4. But the price almost always ends up higher than you expect but I think at 10-15 mil per year he is back and 15-20 is kind of a gut check beyond 20 forget about it.

[SmartWentCrazy]

I wish Darvin Ham would get more love. He comes from a great tree [Atkinson had a lot of success in BKN, Taylor Jenkins in MEM] and was a former player. Have zero doubts that he would be able to install an awesome offensive system here.

I also think Lloyd Pierce could be a great fit. It didnt work with Trae, but, to be fair, its blatantly obvious that Trae didnt like him. Its also not Pierce’s fault that Bogdan didnt get to play for him. He’s a great defensive coach and I think he learned a lot from his failures in Atlanta.

I still am a major fan of Billups. He has a brilliant basketball mind and all reports are that he’s a fantastic motivator. He also just gives me massive ‘Steve Kerr to GS’ vibes.

Sam Cassell would also be tremendous, IMO. He, too, has a tremendous basketball mind and is a proven winner/leader. Think he would do great things here.

[SmartWentCrazy]

I want a head coach that can break the backboard on a dunk:

Watch on YouTube

[ParticleMan]

Based on what?

How often he played Grant Williams and Jeff Teague

Spoiler:

im kidding, for the record

You may have been kidding, but yeah the fact that he played Edwards over guys like Nesmith, and Grant Williams over Timelord, does make me question his eye for talent. Is he going to construct a team of low ceiling tryhards that match his rotations? That’s a legitimate concern I think. And I just think the guy is soft and not a very strong leader. Celtics would have been better off sticking with Ainge IMO.

i think brad played both nesmith and romeo legitimately as soon as they were not COMPLETELY sucking. edwards was never in the rotation, not sure what you're on about, but TL was clearly a health decision, which his history justifies. notice how guys like grant and semi got buried as soon as stevens had any legitimate option otherwise.

i would question ainge's eye for talent a lot more since he kept putting guys like grant, carsen, and semi on the roster, in positions where a couple of injuries meant those guys had to play big minutes.

[Gomes3PC]

Guys on my list (not necessarily in this order):

1. Juwan Howard
2. Chauncey Billups
3. Darvin Ham
4. Dave Joerger
5. Becky Hammond
6. Kara Lawson (but would need to pair her with a D'Antoni type who has real head coaching experience)
7. Ime Udoka